Girls finish season 16-8 overall
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
Last year at this time, the Brodhead girls basketball team was on its way to a state runner-up finish in Division 3.
Whether the Cardinals are headed in that direction again will play itself out in the next two weeks, but they likely won’t soon forget their regional final contest Saturday night with an up-and-coming Big Foot squad.
It was that close.
The Chiefs nearly pulled off a stunner before they fell 48-47 to end the year at 16-8 overall. Brodhead improved to 20-4 overall and advanced to a sectional semifinal this week against unbeaten and top-ranked Whitewater.
Despite the loss, Big Foot coach Rick Schoenbeck couldn’t have been more proud of his team.
“They work hard, are coachable and eight out of 11 girls are on the honor roll,” he said. “They are ideal student-athletes. The attitudes on the team are positive, and (they are) becoming basketball-first girls.”
It was just about a month ago when the Chiefs lost at Brodhead 59-33, but it was clear early on Saturday they had no intentions of letting this one get away.
Schoenbeck said many factors played a role in the 25-point swing, including the return of Olivia Briggs to the lineup.
“She is amazing on defense, is strong and attacks the basket well,” he said. “We are not the same team without her.”
Schoenbeck said his team also played tight in the previous game with a conference title on the line.
With even bigger stakes Saturday, the Chiefs did what got them to 16 wins, he said.
“We were tight and played nervous (last game),” he said. “In January, we restructured our shot selection, and since have stressed high-quality shots. Since that time we have raised our shooting percentage by seven percent.”
Big Foot trailed 31-23 in the fourth quarter before a 10-0 run put the Chiefs up by two points.
And as usually is the case, it was the defense – and some timely shots – that brought the Chiefs back into the contest, Schoenbeck said.
“Defense always makes us go,” he said. “They protect the ball well, but they made mistakes. We hit several 3-pointers to help, also. When you hit shots, everyone gets the rush, and it helps the team roll with confidence.”
Brodhead appeared to finally put the game out of reach, as it took a 47-40 lead with just 51 seconds left.
But Cardinals’ standout Kylie Moe fouled out, and the Chiefs put together one more furious rally to pull to within three points at 47-44 with six seconds left.
Brodhead iced the game with a free throw to push the lead to four points. A 3-pointer by Big Foot’s Kathryn Colby at the buzzer accounted for the final score.
For the game, Brodhead made 25 of 30 free-throw attempts, including 15 of 19 in the fourth quarter. Big Foot was 17 for 25.
And in a tight game, that was the difference, Schoenbeck said.
“They made their free throws and we missed them,” he said. “That is how the lead changed. Everything was decided at the free-throw line.
“Our percentage was very respectable, but they were unbelievable. In a regional final game like this one that was close all the way, we tightened up in the fourth quarter, and it showed at the free-throw line. That is why they won and are moving on.”
Brodhead led 19-18 at halftime before the Chiefs took a 34-30 advantage into the final eight minutes to set up the exciting finish.
For the game, Morgan Courier led the Chiefs with 16 points, five rebounds and three steals, followed by Courtney Schoenbeck with 11 points and Payton Courier with seven and four steals. Briggs had five rebounds, while Brooke Wellhausen had four.
The loss ended the Big Foot playing careers of Brooke Berryman, Marissa Kovarik and Colby. A season wrap up and results of All-Rock Valley Conference voting will run in a future edition.
Chiefs roll in semifinal
Big Foot earned its trip to the final with an easy 80-46 win over Evansville Friday night.
The Chiefs broke open a close game with a 28-8 second quarter and led 43-19 at halftime.
Morgan Courier poured in 29 points and had six steals to lead the Chiefs, followed by Schoenbeck with 12 points, Payton Courier with nine and Briggs with five steals. Carly Snudden and Wellhausen added eight rebounds, while Colby had six.
